Scholes: I don't expect LVG to call

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes is yet to hear from the club's new manager Louis van Gaal and feels it is "probably a bit too late now" in terms of being offered a coaching position by them.

Scholes was part of the United coaching staff at the end of last season when Ryan Giggs took over on an interim basis following the dismissal of David Moyes.

It had been understood the Red Devils were keen for Scholes to have a role again, but that was cast into doubt this week as it emerged the 39-year-old has signed up to be a pundit for both BT Sport and ITV over the 2014-15 campaign.

And asked on Wednesday what the situation was with him and United, Scholes - an ambassador for Men United v Prostate Cancer, speaking at a promotional event for the campaign - told Press Association Sport: "It's no different.

"I have not spoken to the new manager and there is no need for him to speak to me really.

"I only helped Ryan for a few weeks at the end of the season and I wasn't on a contract.

"I didn't have a job with the club and that is no different now."

Then asked if he would be interested if an offer was forthcoming from United, Scholes said: "It is probably a bit too late now. I couldn't wait around forever.

"I had the offers from television, I had to make my mind up if I wanted to take them on and I've decided to go ahead with them.

"Whether something might come from United in the future, I don't know, but it is not something I'm waiting for."

Some believed Scholes' comments in May in an online blog for Paddy Power had reduced his chances of a return to Old Trafford as a coach.

Regarding United and England striker Wayne Rooney, Scholes wrote: ''There's a chance he's worn out. Wayne's peak may have been a lot younger than what we'd expect of footballers traditionally."

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He also wrote that United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward "has an awful lot to prove this time that he's good enough at his job".

But Scholes has stressed he has had no sense of any real damage having been caused to his relationship with the club or his former team-mate Rooney.

He said: "It has never come back at me. I don't think that was a problem.

"More was made of the Wayne thing than it actually was.

"I was saying he is England's best goalscorer and should be playing centre-forward.

"I was only saying I don't think he should be played in wide areas - that I don't think he has the legs to do it any more. That was the only thing he might have taken a little bit of offence to.

"As an England and United fan, I want him to play centre-forward because I know if he does, he'll score goals.

"From my side we are alright - whether Wayne is upset, I don't know. But he is an intelligent lad, and if he read it, he'll know what I'm saying.

"Some tried to make out I said he was gone, finished, which is nonsense. He has been an unbelievable player, and he still has a lot to offer."

Indeed, Scholes is in favour of Rooney becoming not only the new United captain but also the England skipper.

"I can see him doing both," said Scholes, holder of 66 England caps.

"If you look at England and United, there aren't many outstanding candidates for the role and I think Wayne is probably the outstanding candidate of all of them.

"I think he could be a captain without a shadow of a doubt.

"I think he would easily adapt to the responsibility and it could even make him a better player.

"I think it is between Wayne and (fellow striker) Robin van Persie for United.

"Van Persie obviously has close links with Van Gaal, and you do like to have a link between your manager and your captain - he had him as captain for the Holland team.

"So I wouldn't be surprised if it was Van Persie, but I'd like to see Wayne as United captain."

By backing the Men United v Prostate Cancer campaign, Scholes is joining an army of supporters fighting against one of the major killers amongst males in the UK.

Scholes said: "Some of the numbers are a bit scary - one in eight men suffer with prostate cancer and one man dies every hour.

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"It is something I have only just become aware of and if I can help, it is a job I certainly don't mind doing."

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